Vacuum cleaner



Sept. 22,1942. REBEL, JR 2,296,450

VACUUM CLEANER Filed Nov. 22, 1940 INVENT R FREDERICK fi/EBELm TTOR EY Patented Sept. 22, 1942 VACUUM CLEANER Frederick Riebel, Jr., Miami Beach, Fla., assignor to Air-Way Electric Appliance Corporation, Toledo, Ohio, a corporation of Delaware Application November 22, 1940, Serial No. 366,668

8 Claims.

The invention relates to vacuum cleaners and in its more specific aspects relates to a means and mechanism for controlling the vertical adjustment of the cleaner nozzle from the operators end of the handle.

The object of this invention is to provide an improved nozzle height adjusting means for a vacuum cleaner which is operable by means of a device convenient to the operators handle gr1p.

Another object of the invention is the provision of means for obtaining relatively quick nozzle height adjustments from the operators end of the handle.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a nozzle height adjusting means for a swinging fan case type of cleaner and which functions without regard to the swinging fan case.

Another and further object of the invention i is to simplify the mechanism whereby nozzle adjustments may be eiiected to reduce the number of parts, the cost of manufacture and to render the adjustment easily available to the operator.

Other and further objects of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains as the description proceeds which taken in connection with the accompanying drawing sets forth a preferred embodiment and selected modifications of the invention but such embodiments and modifications are not to be construed as limitations of the invention which is limited only by the appended claims and any and all modifications, alterations and variations of structure coming within the spirit and scope thereof are deemed to be included herein.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 shows a side elevational view of a cleaner, embodying the invention with a portion broken away to show the construction.

Fig. 2 shows a top plan view of the cleaner of Fig. 1 with a portion of the handle deleted.

Fig, 3 shows a variation of the construction been recognized. The common expedient involves a foot operated device or one that is actuated by hand by devices on the cleaner proper and since both of these expedients are inconvenient and not easily accessible, they are to that extent undesirable. The instant invention aims to produce a device wherein the operator by remaining in an erect position can easily vertically adjust the nozzle without the necessity of stooping or bending over to reach the several adjustments or indefinitely actuating a foot treadle mechanism. The operator merely manipulates a device on the upper end of the handle and quickly, positively and easily eifectuates a vertical adjustment of the nozzle to thereby accomplish the most efilcient cleaning.

One form of the invention is set forth in Figs. 1 and 2 in which I indicates the suction chamber of a portable vacuum cleaner having a nozzle 2 secured to the forward end thereof and which has above and rearwardly disposed on it a pair of trunnions 3, only one of which is shown and which rotatably or swingably support a fan case 4. A handle 5 is rigidly secured in a portion of the fan casing 4 and the entire unit is adapted to swing about an axisthrough the trunnions 3. The cleaner is supported on forward wheels 6 disposed preferably, immediately to the rear of the nozzle 2 and on vertically adjustable wheels 1 (only one wheel of 6 and I being shown). Wheels 1 are mounted on a bracket 8 which is pivoted to the suction chamber l. A cover 9 has mounted thereunder a motor which is adapted to drive a fan, and an agitator. None of these elements are shown since they do not form a part of the invention.

fhe means for effecting a vertical adjustment of the nozzle l with respect to a'surface being cleaned comprises a lever l0 operatively connected to lever or bracket 8 in such a Way that the two swing about a pivot ll mounted on the suction chamber. A rod I2 is pivotally secured to the lever Ill and is longitudinally or axially slidable in a boss or slide bearing I3 secured to trunnion 3. Rotatably mounted on the upper end of the rod I2, on a portion which is bent at right angles to the greater length of the rod, is a roller l4. Roller l4 engages an arcuate member IS in the form of a segment of a, circle which is substantially concentric with the axis of rotation of fan case 4. The arcuate member l5 lies in proximity to one of the trunnions 3 in order to give easy axial motion to lever l2 and boss I3 is placed on trunnion 3 on or near the axis of rotation of the fan case.

The arcuate member I5 is rigidly secured to a member l6 which is axially slidable in a boss or slide'bearing l! integrally associated with fan case 4. Axially disposed in handle 5 is an actuator rod I8 having a handle position l9 which is adapted to be selectively placed in any one of the three slots 20 formed in the upper end of handle 5. Handle I9 is appropriately shaped to rest in any one of the slots. By increasing the number of slots 20 the number of vertical adjustments may be thereby increased. At the lower end of the handle 5 at or near the point where it is fixed into the fan case 5, the rod I8 is extended through the joint and carries a suitable bracket which extends laterally through a slot in the handle and is connected to the slidable member IS. The linkage is so arranged that the weight of the cleaner will keep roller l4 in engagement with the arcuate member 15.

It is obvious therefore that any axial motion of rod 18 relative to handle 5 will vertically adjust nozzle 2 by tilting suction chamber I about roller 6 by means of a vertical adjustment of wheels 1 through the linkage described. The fan case is still free to swing on trunnion 3 by reason of the arcuate shape of element I5 which is substantially concentric with the axis of rotation of fan case 4 and any swinging of the fan case will not affect the vertical position of the nozzle relative to the surface being cleaned.

A variation of the structure of Figs. 1 and 2 is set forth in Figs. 3 and 4. The floor tool, suction chamber and fan case are provided and bear the same numerals as in Figs. 1 and 2. Wheel 1 is rotatably supported on a lever or bracket 22 mounted on a pin 23 pivotally secured to suction chamber I.

Axially movable in handle 5 is a rod 24 having a handle or finger grip 25. Secured to the lower end of rod 24 is a bracket 26 which is adapted to be connected operatively to linkage mechanism hereinafter set forth. A spring 24a is arranged between handle 5 and bracket 26 so that rod 24 will be restored to its lowermost portion following each actuation of the rod. The upper end of the spring is preferably secured to handle 5 thereby permitting the tension of the spring to be exerted on bracket 26 and rod 24 in downward direction.

Bracket 26 has mounted on its lower end exteriorly of the fan case 5, a roller 21. Roller 21 engages an arcuate element 28 concentric to the axis of rotation of fan case 3. The arcuate element 28 is pivotally mounted on trunnion 3 by means of a bracket 29 secured to trunnion 3 having a pin 30 therein on which the element 28 is pivotally secured. Element 28 has an arm 3| to which a bar or rod 32 is pivotally connected.

The lower end of the rod 32 is linked to a lever 33 mounted for swinging movement between a ratchet wheel 35 and a cam 36 and carrying a pawl 31 adapted to transmit movement to the cam through the ratchet wheel. The ratchet wheel and cam are rotatably mounted on a pin 34 securedto the chamber 1. The up and down motion of rod 32 from handle E9 on rod 24 successively engages the several notches on the ratchet wheel to rotate the cam 36. A spring 31a keeps the bracket 22 in engagement with the cam. The frictional engagement of cam 36 on the bracket 22 prevents the cam from following the reverse movement of lever 33. A spring 320. connected as shown restores the lever to its normal downward condition.

It is obvious therefore that as rod 24 is axially reciprocated rod 32 will be vertically reciprocated and by reason of the pawl and ratchet construction on lever 33, cam 35 will be rotated to vertically adjust the nozzle 2.

Another variation of the structure is shown in Fig. 5 which shows the suction chamber I with the trunnions 3 and having the fan case 4 and handle 5 swingably connected thereto. Pivotally secured to the chamber 1 is a bracket 63 on which are journalled supporting wheels 54. A lever 65, secured to the bracket 53 at one end, is linked at its other end to a pull rod 55 which is slidably mounted in a bearing 61 on the adjacent trunnion 3. The upper end of the bar 66 has an arcuate portion 68 substantially concentric with the axis of rotation of the fan case 4.

Handle 53 has an actuator rod 69 therein having a handle Ill which is selectively engageable in any one of the detents H. The lower end of rod 69 has a bracket 12 thereon carrying a roller 13 engageable with the lower surface of arcuate member 68. A spring 14 similar to spring 59 keeps portion 68 and roller 13 in engagement. It is evident that axial movement of rod 69 will vertically adjust wheels 64 and fan case 4. The weight of the cleaner keeps the roller 13 in engagement with arcuate portion 68.

That which is considered new, novel and useful and which it is sought to protect by Letters Pattent of the United States is as follows:

1. In a vacuum cleaner, a suction chamber, a fan mounted for rotation on a horizontal axis, a fan casing enclosing said fan and having an inlet joined to said suction chamber for pivoting movement on said axis, a handle rigidly attached to said casing, means adjustably supporting said chamber for travelling over a surface to be cleaned, means for adjusting the position of said supporting means with reference to said chamber so as to adjust the height of said chamber relative to said surface, said adjusting means including an arcuate member extending around the up-' per and rear side of said inlet and adapted for movement in a generally radial direction with reference to said inlet, an actuating element extending longitudinally of said handle and adapted to efiect such movement of the arcuate member, and means responsive to such movement for transmitting adjusting movement tosaid supporting means.

2. A vacuum cleaner as defined in claim 1, wherein said arcuate member is embodied in a lever pivoted on said suction chamber, and wherein said adjusting means further includes a link extending from said lever to said supporting means.

3. A vacuum cleaner as defined in claim 1, wherein said adjusting means further includes a step by step ratchet mechanism directly associated with said supporting means, and linkage connecting said ratchet mechanism to said arcuate member.

4. In a vacuum cleaner, a suction chamber, a fan mounted for rotation on a horizontal axis, a fan casing enclosing said fan and having an inlet joined to said suction chamber for pivoting movement on said axis, a handle rigidly attached to said casing, means adjustably supporting said chamber for travelling over a surface to be cleaned, means for adjusting the position of said supporting means with reference to said chamber so as to adjust the height of said chamber relative to said surface, said adjusting means including a control member having an arcuate portion extending about the upper and rear side of said inlet, adapted for movement in a generally radial direction away from said inlet and operative, when thus moved, to effect said adjustment, and longitudinally movable actuating means extending along said handle and having an end portion normally disposed within the arc of said arcuate portion of the control member, said end portion being adapted to engage said arcuate portion in any of several positions of the handle and to transmit pull thereto for effecting said adjusting movement.

5. A vacuum cleaner as defined in claim 1, wherein said arcuate member is attached to the lower end of said actuating element and said transmitting means comprises a rod slidably mounted with reference to the suction chamber,

said rod having at its upper end means engaged by said arcuate member and at its lower end being operatively linked to said supporting means.

6. In a vacuum cleaner, a suction chamber having a nozzle and a pair of hollow trunnions communicating therewith, a fan casing having inlets communicating with and pivoted to said trunnions on a horizontal axis, a handle rigidly connected to said fan case, means adjustably supporting said chamber for travelling over a surface to be cleaned, and means for adjusting the position of said supporting means with reference to said chamber so as to adjust the height of said chamber relative to said surface, said adjusting means including a control member having an arcuate portion extending about one of said inlets,

means connecting and adapted to transmit adjusting movement between the control member and said supporting means, actuating means extending longitudinally of the handle, and means connecting said actuating means and said control member, including an arm, one end of which moves in close proximity at all times to said arcuate portion of the control member and is adapted to exert pulling action thereagainst.

'7. A vacuum cleaner as defined in the preceding claim, including means to maintain said supporting means in a selected position of adjustment.

8. In a vacuum cleaner, a suction chamber, a fan mounted for rotation on a horizontal axis, a fan casing enclosing said fan and having an inlet joined to said suction chamber for pivoting movement on said axis, a handle rigidly attached to said fan casing, means adjustably supporting said chamber for travelling over a surface to be cleaned, means for adjusting the position of said supporting means with reference to said chamber so as to adjust the height of said chamber relative to said surface, said adjusting means including an arcuate member extending around and in close proximity to said inlet and adapted for movement in a generally radial direction with reference to said inlet, an actuating element extending longitudinally of said handle and adapted to effect such movement of the arcuate member, and means responsive to such movement for transmitting adjusting movement to said supporting means.

FREDERICK RIEBEL, JR. 

